Saturday, November 30

Zionist Settlements Are Violation Of International Law

Saturday, November 30, 2013
-
0

30 November 2013 – It has been 66 years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 181, proposing the partition of the mandate territory into two States. Achieving the two-State solution, to which both Israel and the Palestinians have committed, is long overdue but still the Zionist Israel occupation in Palestine.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Friday Nov. 29 2013, of “increasingly dangerous” tensions between Israel and the Palestinians which could threaten peace talks. His message was delivered by Ms Mazlan Othman at the UN office in Vienna on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Ki-moon said: “settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continues, and remains a cause for very grave concern. Announcements of thousands of new housing units cannot be reconciled with the goal of a two-state solution and risk the collapse of negotiations. Settlements are in violation of international law and constitute obstacles to peace. All settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem must cease. Measures that prejudge final status issues will not be recognized by the international community.

The Secretary-General Ki-moon, sharply criticized the demolitions of the Palestinian house in the occupied West Bank, he said: “Palestinians continue to be displaced through house demolitions in Area C of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Of particular concern are developments in East Jerusalem, where this year alone, some 100 structures have been demolished, displacing 300 people. Hundreds more Palestinians are at risk because their homes were built without Israeli-issued building permits. This underscores the importance of Palestinian access to a fair planning and zoning regime. I remind Israel of its obligation to protect the population under occupation.”

Ki-moon described the situation in Gaza as a source of serious concern. He said: “The situation in Gaza remains a source of serious concern. I reiterate my condemnation of all rocket fire into Israel, as well as of the construction of tunnels into Israel by militants. Following the recent tunnel discovery, Israel suspended the transfer of construction material into Gaza, including for humanitarian projects. While I recognize Israel’s legitimate security concerns, I urge Israel to ensure that the needs of the civilian population in Gaza are met.”He added: “The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a lifeline for millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and the region, continues to face serious financial difficulties. I call on all donors, including new ones, to make or increase contributions to sustain UNRWA’s vital and indispensable operations.”

Salahaldin Abd al Shafi, the Palestinian ambassador to Austria read PresidentAbbas message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. He calls for a Palestinian state along pre-67 lines with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. Full text of his message is below.